Immersive Supply Chain Analytics using Mixed Reality

ABSTRACT

A system and method are disclosed for a mixed-reality visualization system having a computer configured to render a mixed-reality three-dimensional surface, identify one or more current demand regions, identify one or more potential demand regions;, map the one or more current demand regions and the one or more potential demand regions on the rendered three-dimensional surface, model a free body coupled with demand centers of each of the one or more demand regions and each of the one or more potential demand regions using a spring model, calculate a location on the rendered three-dimensional surface representing an equilibrium position between the demand centers of the one or more demand regions and the one or more potential demand regions using the spring model, and render, for display on a rendering device, a visual indicator within the area corresponding to the location of the calculated equilibrium position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/720,354, filed on Dec. 19, 2019, entitled “Immersive Supply ChainAnalytics Using Mixed Reality,” which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.§ 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/816,399, filed Mar. 11,2019, entitled “Immersive Supply Chain Analytics using Mixed Reality.”U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/720,354 and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/816,399 are assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to supply chain planning andspecifically to greenfield location using a mixed-reality userinterface.

BACKGROUND

Modern supply chains are complex interconnected systems operating acrosscontinents or around the world. Achieving the best supply chainperformance requires planning the optimized usage of resources,materials, and assets as well as adjusting the usage to respond inreal-time to events that change or disrupt the plan. Supply chainanalytics and real-time supply chain data are used to provide theinsight necessary to generate plans and adjustments that are precise,accurate, and timely. However, creating a useful, and easy-to-understandvisualization of supply chain networks with interactive resources,materials, and assets has proven difficult due to the intercontinentaland global distribution of supply chain networks as well as the local,regional, and global effects of demographics, climate, and geography ofreal-world locations. The inability to interact with supply chainresources, materials, and assets in real time in connection with avisualization of demographics, climate, and geography of real-worldlocations is undesirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived byreferring to the detailed description when considered in connection withthe following illustrative figures. In the figures, like referencenumbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a supply chain network, in accordance with a firstembodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates the mixed-reality visualization system, the one ormore rendering devices, the supply chain database, and the clouddatastore of FIG. 1 in greater detail, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of siting a location of the one or moresupply chain entities of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of the spring model of the mixed-realityvisualization system of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first exemplary scenario comprising the demandcenters of three demand regions, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a second exemplary scenario comprising the demandcenters of three demand regions, in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates what-if scenario of greenfield siting, in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a mixed-reality globe visualization, in accordancewith an embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a regional view of the mixed-reality globevisualization of

FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment; and

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate siting a new warehouse or distribution centerbased on one or more demand regions using the mixed-reality globevisualization of FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects and applications of the invention presented herein are describedbelow in the drawings and detailed description of the invention. Unlessspecifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in thespecification and the claims be given their plain, ordinary, andaccustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts.

In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will beunderstood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that thepresent invention may be practiced without these specific details. Inother instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussedmore generally in order to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases,a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implementthe various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation isto be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are manydifferent and alternative configurations, devices and technologies towhich the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of theinventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

FIG. 1 illustrates supply chain network 100, in accordance with a firstembodiment. Supply chain network 100 comprises mixed-realityvisualization system 110, one or more rendering devices 120, supplychain database 130, cloud datastore 140, one or more supply chainentities 150, computer 160, network 170, and communication links180-190. Although a single mixed-reality visualization system 110, oneor more rendering devices 120, a single supply chain database 130, asingle cloud datastore 140, one or more supply chain entities 150, asingle computer 160, and a single network 170 are shown and described,embodiments contemplate any number of mixed-reality visualizationsystems, any number of rendering devices, any number of supply chainentities, any number of supply chain databases, any number of clouddatastores, any number of computers, or any number of networks,according to particular needs.

Mixed-reality visualization system 110 comprises server 112 and database114. As described in more detail below, server 112 of mixed-realityvisualization system 110 comprises one or more modules that generate amixed-reality environment having an interactive three-dimensionalvisualization for supply chain management (including strategic planningand master planning), physicalization of supply chain planning problems,identifying and solving supply chain problems, viewing key processindicators (KPIs) and other supply chain metrics and parameters,navigation of a global supply chain network, and greenfield siting orrelocation of warehouse and manufacturing facilities. Embodiments of thefollowing mixed-reality visualization system 110 interface with one ormore rendering devices 120 to process, render, and display themixed-reality environment and representations of supply chain network100. According to further embodiments, mixed-reality visualizationsystem 110 and one or more rendering devices 120 generate avisualization of, among other things, supply and demand, distributionnetworks, supply chain analytics, supply chain alerts, and KPIs, whichmay be conveyed to the user via one or more rendering devices 120 usingvisual and/or aural indicators. Mixed-reality visualization system 110receives and processes data from one or more rendering devices 120,supply chain database 130, cloud datastore 140, and/or one or moresupply chain entities 150 and stores the data in database 114.

According to embodiments, one or more rendering devices 120 comprise oneor more electronic devices that display mixed-reality visualizations fornavigating and interacting with supply chain network 100 and supplychain analytics 222 (see FIG. 2 ). One or more rendering devices 120 maycomprise, for example, a mixed-reality headset, a head-mounted display,a smartphone, a tablet computer, a mobile device, a projector, or likedevices. One or more rendering devices 120 comprise one or more sensors122, one or more processors 124, memory 126, display 128, and mayinclude an input device, output device, and a fixed or removablecomputer-readable storage media. One or more sensors 122 may comprise animaging sensor, such as, for example, a camera module, a LIDAR device,radar device, infrared light sensor, ambient light sensor, or otherelectronic sensor. According to one embodiments, one or more sensors 122detect the head movement, the field of vision, and the gaze of a user ofone or more rendering devices 120, as described in more detail below.One or more processors 124 and associated memory 126 executeinstructions and manipulate information according to the operation ofmixed-reality visualization system 110 and any of the methods describedherein. Display 128 of one or more rendering devices 120 displays visualinformation, such as, for example, feedback, analysis, data, images orgraphics using mixed-reality visualizations. For example, display 128 ofone or more rendering devices 120 may superimpose graphics, colors,text, or other renderings of supply chain data 132 over or in connectionwith a virtual visualization of a globe or map. Using one or morerendering devices 120, a user may interact with the renderedvisualizations using speech, eye movement, and spoken instructions tointeract with and modify supply chain network 100. As described in moredetail below, mixed-reality visualization system 110, in connection withone or more rendering devices 120, comprises a system to visualizesupply chain processes and supply chain analytics 222 for improvedreal-time interaction. One or more rendering devices 120 may includefixed or removable computer-readable storage media, including anon-transitory computer readable medium, magnetic computer disks, flashdrives, CD-ROM, in-memory device or other suitable media to receiveoutput from and provide input to mixed-reality visualization system 110.

Supply chain database 130 stores supply chain data 132 received from oneor more supply chain entities 150. Supply chain data 132 may comprisesupply chain static data, such as facilities, warehouses, manufacturinglines, distribution lines, and the like, as well as supply chainconstraints, planning parameters and optimization objectives. In oneembodiment supply chain database 130 stores supply chain data 132received from a manufacturing supply chain, such as, for example, datareceived from a demand planning system, inventory optimization system,supply planning system, order promising system, factory planning andsequencing system, and sales and operations planning system. In anembodiment where supply chain network 100 comprises a retail supplychain, supply chain database 130 stores data received from one or moreretail supply chain planning and execution systems such as, for example,historical sales data, retail transaction data, store characteristicdata, and data received from demand planning system, assortmentoptimization system, category management system, transportationmanagement system, labor management system, and warehouse managementsystem. Although particular planning and execution systems of particulartypes of supply chain network 100 are shown and described, embodimentscontemplate supply chain database 130 storing data received fromplanning and execution systems for any type of supply chain network 100and data received from one or more locations local to, or remote, fromsupply chain network 100, such as, for example, social media data,weather data, social trends, and the like.

Cloud datastore 140 receives and stores demographic and economic data260 which is accessed by mixed-reality visualization system 110 andmapped to mixed-reality globe visualization 800 (see FIG. 8 ), asdescribed in more detail below. Although cloud datastore 140 is shownand described as comprising demographic and economic data 260,embodiments contemplate cloud datastore 140 storing any type of datareceived from any one or more locations local to, or remote from, supplychain network 100.

Mixed-reality visualization system 110, one or more rendering devices120, supply chain database 130, cloud datastore 140, and one or moresupply chain entities 150 may operate on one or more computers 160 thatare integral to or separate from the hardware and/or software thatsupport that mixed-reality visualization system 110, one or morerendering devices 120, supply chain database 130, cloud datastore 140,and one or more supply chain entities 150. Computers 160 may include anysuitable input device 162, such as a keypad, mouse, touch screen,joystick, navigation control device, microphone, or other device toinput information to mixed-reality visualization system 110, one or morerendering devices 120, supply chain database 130, cloud datastore 140,one or more supply chain entities 150, and computer 160. Output device164 may convey information associated with the operation ofmixed-reality visualization system 110, including digital or analogdata, visual information, or audio information such as, for example, oneor more displays, speakers, and/or haptics. Computers 160 may includefixed or removable computer-readable storage media, including anon-transitory computer readable medium, magnetic computer disks, flashdrives, CD-ROM, in-memory device or other suitable media to receiveoutput from and provide input to mixed-reality visualization system 110.Computers 160 may include one or more processors 166 and associatedmemory to execute instructions and manipulate information according tothe operation of mixed-reality visualization system 110 and any of themethods described herein. In addition, or as an alternative, embodimentscontemplate executing the instructions on computers 160 that causecomputers 160 to perform functions of the method. Further examples mayalso include articles of manufacture including tangiblecomputer-readable media that have computer-readable instructions encodedthereon, and the instructions may comprise instructions to performfunctions of the methods described herein.

Although a single computer is shown in FIG. 1 , mixed-realityvisualization system 110, one or more rendering devices 120, supplychain database 130, cloud datastore 140, and one or more supply chainentities 150 may each operate on separate computers 160 or may operateon one or more shared computers 160. Each of one or more computers 160may be a work station, personal computer (PC), network computer,notebook computer, tablet, personal digital assistant (PDA), cell phone,telephone, wireless data port, mobile device, or any other suitablecomputing device. In an embodiment, one or more users may be associatedwith mixed-reality visualization system 110. These one or more users mayinclude, for example, a “manager” or a “planner” handling inventoryplanning, packing, and/or shipping for items of one or more supply chainentities 150 based, at least in part, on altered parameters receivedfrom mixed-reality visualization system 110 in response to a user inputand/or one or more related tasks within supply chain network 100. Inaddition, or as an alternative, these one or more users within supplychain network 100 may include, for example, one or more computers 160programmed to autonomously handle, among other things, one or moresupply chain processes such as demand planning, supply and distributionplanning, inventory management, allocation planning, and/or orderfulfilment.

In one embodiment, one or more supply chain entities 150 represent oneor more supply chain networks, including, for example, one or moreenterprises, and may comprise one or more suppliers, manufacturers,distribution centers, retailers, and/or customers. A supplier may be anysuitable entity that offers to sell or otherwise provides one or moreitems (i.e., materials, components, or products) to one or moremanufacturers. Items may comprise, for example, parts or supplies usedto generate products. An item may comprise a part of the product, or anitem may comprise a supply that is used to manufacture the product, butdoes not become a part of the product, for example, a tool, energy, orresource. According to some embodiments, items comprise foods oringredients. According to other embodiments, items and products may eachreceive a Universal Product Code (UPC), RFID tag, or barcode thatidentifies (including uniquely identifying) the item or product. Suchsuppliers may comprise automated distribution systems that automaticallytransport products to one or more manufacturers based, at least in part,on one or more altered parameters received from mixed-realityvisualization system 110 in response to a user input, such as, forexample an instruction to increase capacity at one or more supply chainlocations, altering demand or supply levels at one or more supply chainentities 150, siting a warehouse or distribution center for a potentialdemand region, or other interactions described herein.

A manufacturer may be any suitable entity that manufactures at least oneproduct. A manufacturer may use one or more items during themanufacturing process to produce any manufactured, fabricated,assembled, or otherwise processed item, material, component, good orproduct. In one embodiment, a product represents an item ready to besupplied to, for example, another supply chain entity, such as asupplier, an item that needs further processing, or any other item. Amanufacturer may, for example, produce and sell a product to a supplier,another manufacturer, a distribution center, retailer, a customer, orany other suitable entity. Such manufacturers may comprise automatedrobotic production machinery that produce products based, at least inpart, on one or more altered parameters received from mixed-realityvisualization system 110 in response to a user input, such as, forexample an instruction to increase capacity at one or more supply chainlocations, altering demand or supply levels at one or more supply chainentities 150, siting a warehouse or distribution center for a potentialdemand region, or other interactions described herein.

A distribution center may be any suitable entity that offers to store orotherwise distributes at least one product to one or more retailersand/or customers. A distribution center may, for example, receive aproduct from another entity in supply chain network 100 and store andtransport the product for another supply chain entity. Such distributioncenters may comprise automated warehousing systems that automaticallyremove products from and place products into inventory based, at leastin part, on one or more altered parameters received from mixed-realityvisualization system 110 in response to a user input, such as, forexample an instruction to increase capacity at one or more supply chainlocations, altering demand or supply levels at one or more supply chainentities 150, siting a warehouse or distribution center for a potentialdemand region, or other interactions described herein.

One or more retailers may be any suitable entity that obtains one ormore products to sell to one or more customers. In addition, one or moreretailers may sell, store, and supply one or more components and/orrepair a product with one or more components. One or more retailers maycomprise any online or brick and mortar location, including locationswith shelving systems. Shelving systems may comprise, for example,various racks, fixtures, brackets, notches, grooves, slots, or otherattachment devices for fixing shelves in various configurations. Theseconfigurations may comprise shelving with adjustable lengths, heights,and other arrangements, which may be adjusted by an employee of one ormore retailers based on computer-generated instructions or automaticallyby machinery to place products in a desired location.

Although one or more supply chain entities 150 are shown and describedas separate and distinct entities, the same entity may simultaneouslyact as any other of one or more supply chain entities 150. For example,one or more supply chain entities 150 acting as a manufacturer canproduce a product, and the same entity can act as a supplier to supplyan item to itself or another supply chain entity. Although one exampleof supply chain network 100 is shown and described, embodimentscontemplate any suitable supply chain network, according to particularneeds.

In one embodiment, mixed-reality visualization system 110 is coupledwith network 170 using communications link 180, which may be anywireline, wireless, or other link suitable to support datacommunications between mixed-reality visualization system 110 andnetwork 170 during operation of supply chain network 100. One or morerendering devices 120 are coupled with network 170 using communicationslink 182, which may be any wireline, wireless, or other link suitable tosupport data communications between one or more rendering devices 120and network 170 during operation of supply chain network 100. Supplychain database 130 is coupled with network 170 using communications link184, which may be any wireline, wireless, or other link suitable tosupport data communications between supply chain database 130 andnetwork 170 during operation of supply chain network 100. Clouddatastore 140 is coupled with network 170 using communications link 186,which may be any wireline, wireless, or other link suitable to supportdata communications between cloud datastore 140 and network 170 duringoperation of supply chain network 100. One or more supply chain entities150 are coupled with network 170 using communications link 188, whichmay be any wireline, wireless, or other link suitable to support datacommunications between one or more supply chain entities 150 and network170 during operation of supply chain network 100. Computer 160 iscoupled with network 170 using communications link 190, which may be anywireline, wireless, or other link suitable to support datacommunications between computer 160 and network 170 during operation ofsupply chain network 100. Although the communication links are shown asgenerally coupling mixed-reality visualization system 110, one or morerendering devices 120, supply chain database 130, cloud datastore 140,one or more supply chain entities 150, and computer 160 with network170, mixed-reality visualization system 110, one or more renderingdevices 120, one or more supply chain databases 130, one or more clouddatastores 140, one or more supply chain entities 150, and computers 160may communicate directly with mixed-reality visualization system 110,one or more rendering devices 120, supply chain database 130, clouddatastore 140, one or more supply chain entities 150, and computer 160,according to particular needs.

In another embodiment, network 170 includes the Internet and anyappropriate local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks(MANs), or wide area networks (WANs) coupling mixed-realityvisualization system 110, one or more rendering devices 120, supplychain database 130, cloud datastore 140, one or more supply chainentities 150, and computers 160. For example, data may be maintained bymixed-reality visualization system 110 at one or more locations externalto mixed-reality visualization system 110, one or more rendering devices120, supply chain database 130, cloud datastore 140, one or more supplychain entities 150, and computers 160 and made available to one or moreassociated users of mixed-reality visualization system 110, one or morerendering devices 120, supply chain database 130, cloud datastore 140,one or more supply chain entities 150, and computers 160 using network170 or in any other appropriate manner. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that the complete structure and operation of the communicationnetwork and other components within supply chain network 100 are notdepicted or described. Embodiments may be employed in conjunction withknown communications networks and other components.

In accordance with the principles of embodiments described herein,mixed-reality visualization system 110 may generate an inventory plan,packing plan, or shipping plan for the items of one or more supply chainentities 150 in supply chain network 100 based, at least in part, on analtered parameters received from mixed-reality visualization system 110in response to a user input, such as, for example an instruction toincrease capacity at one or more supply chain locations, altering demandor supply levels at one or more supply chain entities 150, siting awarehouse or distribution center for a potential demand region, or otherinteractions described herein. Furthermore, mixed-reality visualizationsystem 110 may instruct automated machinery (i.e., robotic warehousesystems, robotic inventory systems, automated guided vehicles, mobileracking units, automated robotic production machinery, robotic devicesand the like) to adjust product mix ratios, inventory levels at variousstocking points, production of products of manufacturing equipment,proportional or alternative sourcing of one or more supply chainentities 150, and the configuration and quantity of packaging andshipping of items based on one or more generated inventory plans,packing plans, or shipping plans and/or current inventory or productionlevels. For example, the methods described herein may include computers160 receiving product data 242 from automated machinery having at leastone sensor 122 and product data 242 corresponding to an item detected bythe automated machinery. Received product data 242 may include an imageof the item, an identifier, as described above, and/or other productdata 242 associated with the item (dimensions, texture, estimatedweight, and any other like data). The method may further includecomputers 160 looking up received product data 242 in a database systemassociated with mixed-reality visualization system 110 to identify theitem corresponding to product data 242 received from the automatedmachinery.

Computers 160 may also receive, from the automated machinery, a currentlocation of the identified item. Based on the identification of theitem, computers 160 may also identify (or alternatively generate) afirst mapping in the database system, where the first mapping isassociated with the current location of the identified item. Computers160 may also identify a second mapping in the database system, where thesecond mapping is associated with a past location of the identifieditem. Computers 160 may also compare the first mapping and the secondmapping to determine if the current location of the identified item inthe first mapping is different than the past location of the identifieditem in the second mapping. Computers 160 may then send instructions toone or more rendering devices 120 or automated machinery based, as leastin part, on one or more differences between the first mapping and thesecond mapping such as, for example, to locate items to add to or removefrom an inventory, container, or package for one or more supply chainentities 150.

According to these embodiments, and as discussed in more detail below,mixed-reality visualization system 110 may determine a differencebetween current inventory levels and the inventory reorder points forone or more items in an inventory. Based on the difference,mixed-reality visualization system 110 may instruct the automatedmachinery to add items to a shipment in an amount equal to the inventorytarget quantities minus the difference between current inventory levelsand the inventory reorder points. For example, mixed-realityvisualization system 110 may determine an inventory plan, packing plan,or shipping plan based on forecasted demand, current inventory levels,forecasted production levels, item attributes, pack constraints, storeconstraints, and the like. Based on these factors and constraints,mixed-reality visualization system 110 generates instructions, feedback,and a visualization of supply chain network 100 via one or morerendering devices 120.

FIG. 2 illustrates mixed-reality visualization system 110, one or morerendering devices 120, supply chain database 130, and cloud datastore140 of FIG. 1 in greater detail, in accordance with an embodiment. Asdiscussed above, mixed-reality visualization system 110 comprises server112 and database 114. Although mixed-reality visualization system 110 isshown as comprising a single server 112 and a single database 114,embodiments contemplate any number of servers or databases internal to,or externally coupled with, mixed-reality visualization system 110,according to particular needs.

Database 114 of mixed-reality visualization system 110 comprises supplychain network models 210, supply chain static data 212, modified supplychain data 214, data processing and transformation models 216,instructions data 218, KPI data 220, supply chain analytics 222, andsupply chain alerts 224. Although database 114 is shown and described ascomprising supply chain network models 210, supply chain static data212, modified supply chain data 214, data processing and transformationmodels 216, instructions data 218, KPI data 220, supply chain analytics222, and supply chain alerts 224, embodiments contemplate any number orcombination of data stored at one or more locations local to, or remotefrom, mixed-reality visualization system 110, such as on multipleservers or computers 160 at any location in supply chain network 100.

According to embodiments, mixed-reality visualization system 110 usesthe one or more supply chain network models 210 to display supply chainstatic data 212 by mixed-reality globe visualization 800. In addition,mixed-reality visualization system 110 utilizes one or more supply chainnetwork models 210 to process modified supply chain data 214 generatedby one or more rendering devices 120 in response to and based, at leastin part, on one or more user interactions with mixed-reality userinterface 202 such as, for example, physical, visual, and voice inputsand feedback, which may be stored as instructions data 218.

In addition, mixed-reality visualization system 110 uses one or moredata processing and transformation models 216 (which may include, forexample, one or more heuristic models) to generate KPIs (which may bestored as KPI data 220) for mapping to mixed-reality globe visualization800 and to receive input and other instructions generated by one or morerendering devices 120, such as for example, one or more userinteractions with mixed-reality user interface 202 such as, for example,physical, visual, and voice inputs and feedback, which may be stored asinstructions data 218.

According to one embodiment, supply chain analytics 222 comprise inputdata, output data, and values of various objectives, which may bedisplayed at a detailed level or aggregated over one or more dimensions.Embodiments of the mixed-reality visualization system 110 contemplatesupply chain analytics 222 comprising answers displayed by mixed-realityvisualization system 110 in response to simple or complex queries. Byway of example only and not by way of limitation, mixed-realityvisualization system 110 may receive a query spoken by a user, such as,for example, “Show me the second most cost-effective facility that canhelp in increasing the demand satisfaction by ten percent.” In responseto the received query, mixed-reality visualization system 110 may alterthe mixed-reality globe visualization 800 to display an indicator thatlocates the second most cost effective facility that will increase thedemand satisfaction by at least ten percent.

According to embodiments, mixed-reality visualization system 110provides for monitoring one or more supply chain processes, detecting anexception or problem condition (such as, for example, a KPI that isoutside of a predetermined threshold), and generating one or more supplychain alerts 224. As described in more detail below, supply chain alerts224 may comprise changing the color, size, or other properties of mappedfeatures (such as, for example, one or more nodes of supply chainnetwork 100) as well as any type of visual, auditory, or haptic cues.

Server 112 of mixed-reality visualization system 110 comprisesmixed-reality user interface 202 and data processing and transformationmodule 204. Although server 112 is shown and described as comprising asingle mixed-reality user interface 202 and a single data processing andtransformation module 204, embodiments contemplate any suitable numberor combination of mixed-reality user interfaces and data processing andtransformation modules located at one or more locations, local to, orremote from mixed-reality visualization system 110, such as on multipleservers or computers at any location in supply chain network 100.

Mixed-reality user interface 202 generates mixed-reality globevisualization 800 comprising a navigable three-dimensional world globedisplaying one or more nodes of supply chain network 100. As describedin more detail herein, mixed-reality user interface 202 providesnavigation (such as, for example, zooming in and out, rotation, internalor external viewing, and the like) with mixed-reality globevisualization 800 by receiving physical, visual, and voice input fromone or more rendering devices 120. In addition, mixed-reality userinterface 202 provides interactive displayed data of mixed-reality globevisualization 800 (such as, for example, modifiable geographical andpolitical regions, nodes of supply chain network 100, supply chainmetrics and parameters, and the like) by receiving input from one ormore rendering devices 120.

As discussed in more detail below, mixed-reality user interface 202models one or more supply chain planning problems (such as, for example,an inventory planning problem, a master planning problem, and the like),identifies resources, operations, buffers, and pathways, and maps supplychain network 100 using supply chain network models 210 and/or supplychain data models 252.

According to embodiments, data processing and transformation module 204modifies supply chain data 132 in response to receiving input orinstructions from one or more rendering devices 120. According to oneembodiment, data processing and transformation module 204 generates asolution to the supply chain planning problem mapped to themixed-reality globe visualization based, at least in part, on input andinstructions received from one or more rendering devices 120. Asdescribed below, mixed-reality visualization system 110 generates KPIsand other data outputs for display on mixed-reality globe visualization800 using one or more data transformation processes and models 212.

One or more rendering devices 120 comprises sensors 122, processors 124,memory 126, and display 128, as described above. According to oneembodiment, one or more rendering devices 120 comprise sensors 122comprising a gaze tracking sensor, hand gesture sensor, and headorientation sensor. According to other embodiments, one or morerendering devices 120 provides a spatial visualization of amixed-reality globe visualization providing for viewing, hearing, and/orreceiving haptics conveying supply chain data 132, KPI data 220, supplychain analytics 222, feedback, and other data through a device such as amixed-reality headset (for example, the MICROSOFT HOLO-LENS, META 2 orEPSON MOVERIO BT-200 mixed-reality headsets). According to embodiments,one or more rendering devices 120 may receive one or more user inputsfor search, navigation, visualization, and supply chain action.Embodiments contemplate a mixed-reality headset that provides user inputby one or more of voice tracking, gaze tracking, hand gesture tracking,and incremental discovery (i.e. looking in a direction to discover therelated supply chain components). Additionally, one or more sensors 122of one or more rendering devices 120 may be located at one or morelocations local to, or remote from, one or more rendering devices 120,including, for example, one or more sensors 122 integrated into one ormore rendering devices 120 or one or more sensors 122 remotely locatedfrom, but communicatively coupled with, one or more rendering devices120. As stated above, one or more rendering devices 120 may include oneor more processors 124 and associated memory 126 to execute instructionsand manipulate information according to the operation of mixed-realityvisualization system 110 and any of the methods described herein.

For example, mixed-reality user interface 202 may be navigated byspeaking a command (such as, for example, “show me the location with thehighest shortage” or other like command), by gazing or staring at aparticular supply chain network component (such as, for example, staringat a location causes mixed-reality visualization system 110 to alter thecolor of a visual element to illustrate the amount of demandsatisfaction at a node at, or near to, the location), and/or by usingtracked movements of a hand, finger, or arm of a user (such as, forexample, tapping on a mixed-reality surface displayed by one or morerendering devices 120 such as, for example, a graphic representing anend item, causes mixed-reality visualization system 110 to render and/ordisplay a graphic representing the raw-material that is consumed byproduction of the end item).

Display 128 of one or more rendering devices 120 may comprise forexample, a projector, a monitor, an LCD panel, or any other suitableelectronic display device. Embodiments contemplate one or more renderingdevices 120 having more than one display 128, including a first displayconfigured to direct an image into a user's left eye (a left eyedisplay) and a second display configured to direct an image into auser's right eye (a right eye display) to provide a mixed-realityvisualization by, for example, displaying visual elements on atransparent or translucent medium directly in front of a user's eyes, sothat the visual element appears within the visual field of the user. Oneor more rendering devices 120 display visual elements overlaid onreal-world scenes and located based, at least in part, on the calculatedvisual field of the user. According to embodiments, information may beprojected, overlaid, superimposed, or displayed such that the renderedand displayed images, text, and graphics are fixed in a virtualthree-dimensional space anchored with a point or object in theenvironment, in a virtual space, or an orientation of the user or of oneor more rendering devices 120. In addition, or as an alternative,display 128 may display a mixed-reality visualization on an opaquedisplay by overlaying one or more visual elements over a visual feedfrom a camera, and altering the appearance and placement of the visualelements based, at least in part, on the movement of objects within thevisual feed of the camera and/or one or more sensors 122.

According to some embodiments, mixed-reality visualization system 110arranges visual indicators representing one or more supply chainentities 150 on the inner or outer surface of mixed-reality globevisualization 800 based, at least in part, on the field of view ofdisplay 128 of one or more rendering devices 120. In addition,mixed-reality visualization system 110 alters feedback based on ageographical position of supply chain entities 150 to use one or more ofaudio feedback, audio-visual feedback, synthesis of audio feedback basedon the value of supply chain KPIs (such as, for example, pleasant soundif a KPI is favorable, or a shrill or unpleasant sound if KPI isadverse). When one or more supply chain entities 150 are displayed on aninner surface of a hollow sphere with the user inside of the globe, theaudio and/or audio-visual feedback may be used to locate one or moresupply chain entities 150 using sound localization by associating anaural indicator plotted in three-dimensional space with one or moresupply chain entities 150.

As stated above, mixed-reality visualization system 110 communicateswith one or more external database storage systems such as, for example,supply chain database 130, cloud datastore 140, or one or more otherdata storage systems local to, or remote from, supply chain network 100.Supply chain database 130 may comprise one or more databases or otherdata storage arrangement at one or more locations, local to, or remotefrom, supply chain network 100. Supply chain database 130 comprisessupply chain data 132 including, by way of example only and not oflimitation, supply chain planning data 240, product data 242, historicalretail data 244, inventory data 246, supply chain models 248, inventorypolicies 250, and supply chain data models 252. Although, supply chaindatabase 130 is shown and described as comprising supply chain planningdata 240, product data 242, historical retail data 244, inventory data246, supply chain models 248, inventory policies 250, and supply chaindata models 252, embodiments contemplate any suitable number orcombination of these, located at one or more locations, local to, orremote from, supply chain database 130, according to particular needs.

As an example only and not by way of limitation, supply chain database130 stores supply chain planning data 240, including one or more supplychain planning problems of supply chain network 100 that may be used bymixed-reality visualization system 110. Supply chain planning data 240may comprise for example, various decision variables, businessconstraints, goals, and objectives of one or more supply chain entities150. According to some embodiments, supply chain planning data 240 maycomprise hierarchical objectives specified by, for example, businessrules, master planning requirements, scheduling constraints, anddiscrete constraints, including, for example, sequence dependent setuptimes, lot-sizing, storage, shelf life, and the like.

Product data 242 of supply chain database 130 may comprise one or moredata structures for identifying, classifying, and storing dataassociated with products, including, for example, a product identifier(such as a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), Universal Product Code (UPC), orthe like), product attributes and attribute values, sourcinginformation, and the like. Product data 242 may comprise data about oneor more products organized and sortable by, for example, productattributes, attribute values, product identification, sales quantity,demand forecast, or any stored category or dimension. Attributes of oneor more products may be, for example, any categorical characteristic orquality of a product, and an attribute value may be a specific value oridentity for the one or more products according to the categoricalcharacteristic or quality, including, for example, physical parameters(such as, for example, size, weight, dimensions, fill level, color, andthe like).

Historical retail data 244 of supply chain database 130 may comprise,for example, any data relating to past sales, past demand, purchasedata, promotions, events, or the like of one or more supply chainentities 150. Historical retail data 244 may cover a time interval suchas, for example, by the minute, hourly, daily, weekly, monthly,quarterly, yearly, or any suitable time interval, includingsubstantially in real time. According to embodiments, historical retaildata 244 may include historical demand and sales data or projecteddemand forecasts for one or more retail locations, customers, regions,or the like of one or more supply chain entities 150 and may includehistorical or forecast demand and sales segmented according to productattributes, customers, regions, or the like.

Inventory data 246 of supply chain database 130 may comprise any datarelating to current or projected inventory quantities or states, orderrules, or the like. For example, inventory data 246 may comprise thecurrent level of inventory for each item at one or more stockinglocations across supply chain network 100. In addition, inventory data246 may comprise order rules that describe one or more rules or limitson setting an inventory policy, including, but not limited to, a minimumorder quantity, a maximum order quantity, a discount, a step-size orderquantity, and batch quantity rules. According to some embodiments,mixed-reality visualization system 110 accesses and stores inventorydata 246 in supply chain database 130, which may be used by one or moreplanning and execution systems of one or more supply chain entities 150to place orders, set inventory levels at one or more stocking points,initiate manufacturing of one or more items (or components of one ormore items), or the like. In addition, or as an alternative, inventorydata 246 may be updated by receiving current item quantities, mappings,or locations from an inventory system, a transportation network, one ormore rendering devices 120, and/or one or more supply chain entities150.

Supply chain models 248 of supply chain database 130 may comprisecharacteristics of a supply chain setup to deliver the customerexpectations of a particular customer business model. Thesecharacteristics may comprise differentiating factors, such as, forexample, MTO (Make-to-Order), ETO (Engineer-to-Order) or MTS(Make-to-Stock). However, supply chain models 248 may also comprisecharacteristics that specify the structure of supply chain network 100in even more detail, including, for example, specifying the type ofcollaboration with the customer (e.g. Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI)),from which stocking locations or suppliers items may be sourced,customer priorities, demand priorities, how products may be allocated,shipped, or paid for, by particular customers, and the destinationstocking locations or one or more supply chain entities 150 where itemsmay be transported. Each of these characteristics may lead to adifferent supply chain model of supply chain models 248.

Inventory policies 250 of supply chain database 130 may comprise anysuitable inventory policy describing the reorder point and targetquantity, or other inventory policy parameters that set rules for one ormore planning and execution systems of one or more supply chain entities150 to manage and reorder inventory. Inventory policies 250 may be basedon target service level, demand, cost, fill rate, or the like. Accordingto embodiments, inventory policies 250 may be used by mixed-realityvisualization system 110 to determine a no-stockout probability, fillrate, cost, or other like determination of KPI targets, as describedbelow. According to embodiment, inventory policies 250 comprise targetservice levels that ensure that a service level of one or more supplychain entities 150 is met with a certain probability. For example, oneor more supply chain entities 150 may set a target service level at 95%,meaning one or more supply chain entities 150 will set the desiredinventory stock level at a level that meets demand 95% of the time.Although a particular target service level and percentage is described,embodiments contemplate any target service level, for example, a targetservice level of approximately 99% through 90%, 75%, or any targetservice level, according to particular needs. Other types of servicelevels associated with inventory quantity or order quantity maycomprise, but are not limited to, a maximum expected backlog and afulfillment level. Once the service level is set, one or more planningand execution systems of one or more supply chain entities 150 maydetermine a replenishment order according to one or more replenishmentrules, which, among other things, indicates to one or more supply chainentities 150 to determine or receive inventory to replace the depletedinventory.

Supply chain data models 252 represent the flow of materials through oneor more supply chain entities 150 of supply chain network 100.Mixed-reality user interface 202 may model the flow of materials throughone or more supply chain entities 150 of supply chain network 100 as oneor more supply chain data models 252 comprising a network of nodes andedges. The material storage and/or transition units are modelled asnodes, which may be referred to as, for example, buffer nodes, buffers,or nodes. Each node may represent a buffer for an item (such as, forexample, a raw material, intermediate good, finished good, component,and the like), resource, or operation (including, for example, aproduction operation, assembly operation, transportation operation, andthe like). Various transportation or manufacturing processes aremodelled as edges connecting the nodes. Each edge may represent theflow, transportation, or assembly of materials (such as items orresources) between the nodes by, for example, production processing ortransportation. A planning horizon for supply chain data models 252 maybe broken down into elementary time-units, such as, for example,time-buckets, or, simply, buckets. The edge between two buffer nodes maydenote processing of material and the edge between different buckets forthe same buffer may indicate inventory carried forward. Flow-balanceconstraints for most, if not every buffer in every bucket, model thematerial movement in supply chain network 100.

Cloud datastore 140 comprises demographic and economic data 260.Demographic and economic data 260 may be maintained in cloud datastore140 at one or more locations external to mixed-reality visualizationsystem 110 or one or more rendering devices 120 and made available toone or more associated users of mixed-reality visualization system 110and one or more rendering devices 120 using the cloud or in any otherappropriate manner. Demographic and economic data 260 includes, forexample, population data, population density, spending potential, percapita disposable income, and the like. Although cloud datastore 140 isshown as comprising demographic and economic data 260, embodimentscontemplate any suitable number of this or other data, internal to, orexternally coupled with, cloud datastore 140.

According to embodiments, mixed-reality visualization system 110utilizes demographic and economic data 260 to site the location of a newwarehouse or distribution center using a spring model.

FIG. 3 illustrates method 300 of siting a location of one or more supplychain entities 150 of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment. Method300 of siting a location of one or more supply chain entities 150proceeds by one or more activities, which although described in aparticular order may be performed in one or more permutations, accordingto particular needs.

At activity 302, the mixed-reality visualization system identifies thephysical surface of a globe, map, or other representation of the worldor a region of the world comprising supply chain network 100. Accordingto embodiments, mixed-reality visualization system 110 createsmixed-reality globe visualization 800 comprising a three-dimensionalmixed-reality globe that is displayed in front of the user using one ormore rendering devices 120, as described in further detail below.Embodiments contemplate modeling one or more physical or geographicfeatures such as hills, mountains, roads, rivers, or the like on athree-dimensional or other representational model providing for display,navigation, and interaction of supply chain network 100 and/or supplychain network models 210.

At activity 304, mixed-reality visualization system 110 identifiescurrent demand regions. According to one embodiment, mixed-realityvisualization system 110 identifies one or more demand regions, such as,for example, a political, geographic, census, or other subunit of ageographic area, whose demand for a particular product or service istracked by one or more supply chain entities 150. In addition, thedemand regions may already be present in a system of records, and thedemand associated with the demand regions may be met through supplychain activities. A demand region may be, for example, a continent,country, region, state, metropolitan area, city, neighborhood, or thelike.

At activity 306, mixed-reality visualization system 110 identifiespotential demand regions. According to embodiments, potential demandregions comprise a geographical region, such as, for example, apolitical, geographic, census, or other subunit of a geographic area,whose demand for a particular product or service is considered to be metthough an existing or augmented supply chain. For example, mixed-realityvisualization system 110 may identify and present one or more potentialdemand regions as a list, in descending order, of current demand toidentify a market to serve represented by the potential demand region.

At activity 308, mixed-reality visualization system 110 maps one or moredemand regions and/or potential demand regions on mixed-reality globevisualization 800 of one or more rendering devices 120. According toembodiments, mixed-reality visualization system 110 displays the demandregion by placing a visual indicator in a demand center or locationalcenter of the demand region. By way of example only and not by way oflimitation, when the demand region comprises a state, visual indicatormay be placed within the demand or geographic center of the state.Continuing with this example, mixed-reality visualization system 110selects the demand region comprising a state in response to detecting agaze of a user on this state displayed on mixed-reality visualization800. Mixed-reality visualization system 110 displays the visualindicator the selected demand regions using an indicator, such as, forexample, a boundary of the city, state, or country of the associatedwith the demand region. Embodiments contemplate accessing dataassociated with the demand region, such as, for example, economicindicators, costs to build a facility for one or more supply chainentities 150, population, per capita or total spending, real estatecosts, and the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates diagram 400 of the spring model of mixed-realityvisualization system 110 of FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment.Diagram 400 of the spring model comprises free body 402 coupled todemand centers 404 a-404 c by springs 406 a-406 c.

Returning to method 300, at activity 310, mixed-reality visualizationsystem 110 creates free body 402 and couples free body 402 to eachdemand region using the spring model. By way of example only and not byway of limitation, mixed-reality visualization system 110 modelslocation of a distribution center as free body 402 connected to themarkets identified to be served as demand regions, each regioncomprising one or more demand centers 404 a-404 c centered at aparticular latitude and longitude on the surface of a three-dimensionalmixed-reality globe and coupled with free body 402 by one or moresprings 406 a-406 c. Although the example is illustrated and describedas comprising a single product or single product group, embodimentscontemplate modeling free body 402 and demand centers 404 a-404 c of theconnected demand regions for any number of one or more products and/orany number of one or more product groups, according to particular needs.

At activity 312, mixed-reality visualization system 110 sets a springconstant of one or more springs 406 a-406 c equal to the demand of eachdemand region. Continuing with the example of the spring modelcomprising free body 402 and three demand regions, mixed-realityvisualization system 110 sets the spring constant for springs 406 a-406c coupling demand centers 404 a-404 c of each demand region to free body402 according to the demand of the demand region, as described in moredetail below.

A force for each of springs 406 a-406 c comprising a multiplicativeproduct of the spring constant and a distance connecting each of demandcenters 404 a-404 c of the demand regions to free body 402 representingthe potential location of the new distribution center is equal to a costcalculated as the multiplicative product of demand and distance, whereinthe stiffness of each of springs 404 a-404 c corresponds to a demand andlength corresponds to a distance between free body 402 and each ofdemand centers 404 a-404 c. According to one embodiment, the cost forlocating a distribution center using free body 402 is calculated bymixed-reality visualization system 110 using a spring model and Equation1:

F=k*Δd,   (1)

wherein F represents cost, k represents demand, and Δd representsdistance from free body 402 to demand center 404 a-404 c. By way ofexample only and not by way of limitation, mixed-reality visualizationsystem 110 may calculate the distance between free body 402 and any oneor more demand centers 404 a-404 c according to the difference betweenlongitudes of free body 402 and any one or more demand centers 404 a-404c, as a difference in physical distance between free body 402 and anyone or more demand centers 404 a-404 c (such as miles, feet, kilometers,meters, or the like), an area of the surface of a sphere containing freebody 402 and any one or more demand centers 404 a-404 c, and or otherlike determinations of a distance between free body 402 and any one ormore demand centers 404 a-404 c, according to particular needs. In oneembodiment, locating a facility for a particular demand region is basedon costs that are specific to a political demand region, such as ataxation policy, regulatory costs, and the like. In other embodiments,where distance is more important a center of a demand region maycomprise the center of gravity of the region, which provides a betterdistance estimate between a demand region and the free body.

At activity 314, free body 402 is placed at a chosen neutral initialposition. The location may correspond to a particular latitude,longitude, or other coordinate system for modeling a location on a two-or three-dimensional representational surface that does not hinder orencourage the proximity of the free body to any demand region. In oneembodiment, the neutral position comprises a height above the surface ofmixed-reality globe visualization 800. According to this embodiment, theneutral position will be influenced by each of the demand regions andsimulated gravity of mixed-reality visualization 800, and while the freebody falls to the surface of mixed-reality visualization 800, theposition of the free body on the surface is influenced by the springequilibria.

At activity 316, free body 402 reaches a final equilibrium, whichrepresents a desired location of the distribution center. According toembodiments, in response to receiving an input corresponding to a userrequest for a new location of a distribution center, mixed-realityvisualization system 110 will identify the location on mixed-realityglobe visualization 800 that comprises an equilibrium point correlatingto the distribution center of one or more demand centers 404 a-404 c.

FIG. 5 illustrates first exemplary scenario 500 comprising demandcenters 404 a-404 c of three demand regions, in accordance with anembodiment. In diagram 400 of the spring model, demand centers 404 a-404c are represented by three circles surrounding free body 402,corresponding to a potential location of a new distribution center andrepresented by a triangle. Although free body 402 is shown and describedas a new distribution center, free body 402 may represent any one ormore supply chain entities 150, a stocking location, node of supplychain network 100, or the like.

In first exemplary scenario 410, first demand center 404 a comprises ademand of 1000 units, a second demand center 404 b comprises a demand of2000 units, and a third demand center 404 c comprises a demand of 50units. Referring to diagram 400 of the spring model, free body 402 islocated closest to first demand center 404 a and second demand center404 b because first demand center 404 a and second demand center 404 bhave much greater demand than third demand center 404 c, and theequilibrium state of three springs 406 a-406 c coupled with free body402 results in the calculated free body 402 location (i.e. the locationwhere the new distribution center would be sited to minimize thedistance over which items would be transported to meet a demand, allother costs being equal). By way of further explanation only and not byway of limitation, an example is now given with third demand center 404c located on a perpendicular line bisecting a line segment joining firstdemand center 404 a and second demand center 404 b. Continuing with thisexample, when the distance between first demand center 404 a and seconddemand center 404 b is 300 miles, the final position of the free bodywill reach equilibrium at a position located on the line segmentapproximately 200 miles away from first demand center 404 a.

FIG. 6 illustrates second exemplary scenario 600 comprising demandcenters 404 a-404 c of three demand regions, in accordance with anembodiment. In second exemplary scenario 600, demand at first demandcenter 404 a, second demand center 404 b, and third demand center 404 care adjusted from 1000 units, 2000 units, and 50 units, respectively, to100 units, 200 units, and 5000 units, respectively. Continuing with theexample of second exemplary scenario 600, demands at first demand center404 a and second demand center 404 b are reduced by tenfold while demandat third demand center 404 c is increased by tenfold. In response to theadjustment of demand at first demand center 404 a, second demand center404 b, and third demand center 404 c, location of free body 402 ispulled in the direction of third demand region 404 c because theequilibrium state of three springs 406 a-406 c coupled with free body402 gives the new free body 402 location corresponding to a new locationfor a distribution center, one or more supply chain entities 150, astocking location, a node of supply chain network 100, or the like.

By way of further explanation only and not by way of limitation, anotherexample is now given with relative positioning of first body 404 a,second body 404 b and third body 404 c located where third demand center404 c is located on a perpendicular line bisecting a line segmentjoining first demand center 404 a and second demand center 404 b.Continuing with this example, when the distance between third body 404 cand line segment joining first body 404 a and second body 404 b is 530miles, wherein the final equilibrium position of the free-body will beapproximately 30 miles from third body 404 c in a general directiontoward first body 404 a and second body 404 b, with a slight deviationtoward second body 404 b.

FIG. 7 illustrates what-if scenario of greenfield siting, in accordancewith an embodiment. According to embodiments, mixed-realityvisualization system 110 provides for what-if analysis of alteredparameters of supply chain network 100 such as, for example, altereddemand, altered demand center 404 a-404 c, and the like using the springmodel. In one exemplary embodiment, one or more rendering devices 120receives a user input, a real-time or simulated parameter or rule changethat alters demand at one or more supply chain entities 150 or one ormore demand centers 404 a-404 c. By way of example only and not by wayof limitation, an exemplary what-if scenario comprising a demand changeand demand center 404 a-404 c location change are described. Continuingwith this example, one or more rendering devices 120 may receive a userinput comprising, for example, a voice command, that causesmixed-reality visualization system 110 to retrieve modified demands forone or more supply chain demand regions. Based on the modified demanddata for the one or more supply chain demand regions, free body 402representing the location of the new warehouse or distribution center isupdated on mixed-reality user interface 202 to display the locationcomprising the equilibrium point between the one or more demand regions.In addition, to evaluate the effect of moving one or more warehouses ordemand regions, mixed-reality visualization system 110 may generatehaptic feedback on the suitability or unsuitability of the move by, forexample, altering the speed or motion of movement in response to a usermoving a warehouse or demand region on mixed-reality globe visualization800 of mixed-reality user interface 202. To further illustrate method300, siting a new warehouse or distribution center location as displayedon mixed-reality globe visualization 800 is described and illustratedbelow.

FIG. 8 illustrates mixed-reality globe visualization 800, in accordancewith an embodiment. One or more rendering devices 120 may display a userinterface or visualization of a supply chain planning or executionapplication as a three-dimensional representation (such as, for example,virtual reality, augmented reality, and/or mixed-reality). An externalview of mixed reality globe visualization 800 comprises athree-dimensional rendering of the surface of the Earth, which may beviewed as a rotatable globe with geographic features and one or moresupply chain entities 150 or other resources, materials, or and assetsof supply chain network 100 mapped on the surface. Mixed-reality globevisualization 800 may be displayed on one or more rendering devices 120so that it appears as a three-dimensional globe suspended in front of auser. When supply chain network 100 is relatively local, a user may zoomin or rotate mixed-reality globe visualization 800 to view all nodes ofsupply chain network 100 in a single view. When supply chain network 100is not local, mixed-reality visualization system 110 may display aninternal view of mixed-reality globe visualization 800.

One or more rendering devices 120 may receive commands from one or moreinput devices that detect a user's voice commands or gaze and, inresponse to a detected voice command or change in gaze, alters the userinterface or visualization based on the detected voice commands or gaze.For example, in response to one or more rendering devices 120 detectinga voice command saying “hello” or “begin,” one or more rendering devices120 may display mixed-reality globe visualization 800 comprising athree-dimensional mixed-reality representation of the Earth havingimages, graphics, and text that identify supply chain entities 150, datasuch as, for example, supply and demand of various entities or regions,movements of items between various stocking points and locations, andthe like.

By way of a further example, sensor 122 of one or more rendering devices120 may monitor and detect whether a user's gaze is fixed on aparticular location of mixed-reality globe visualization 800 for apredetermined amount of time. In one embodiment, mixed realityvisualization system 110 and/or one or more rendering devices 120receive data from sensor 122, which monitors the location of particularfeatures of a user's eyes. Mixed-reality visualization system 110 and/orone or more rendering devices 120 may interpret data from sensor 122 asan input representing selection of the location, area, region, or otherfeature of the mixed-reality globe visualization 800 that is calculatedto be the location on which the user's eyes are fixed.

As stated above, embodiments of mixed-reality globe visualization 800contemplate modeling one or more physical or geographic features such ashills, mountains, roads, rivers, or the like on a three-dimensional orother representational model with which supply chain network 100 and/orsupply chain data 132 may be displayed, navigated, and interacted. Thenodes of supply chain network 100 may represent a single supply chainentity or a particular region, such as, for example, a political,geographic, census, or other subunit of a geographic area. According toembodiments, the nodes may be associated with demand regions, which areregions whose demand for a particular product or service is tracked byone or more supply chain entities 150. A demand region may be, forexample, a continent, country, region, state, metropolitan area, city,neighborhood, or the like. Mixed-reality visualization system 110 mapsone or more nodes, regions, demand regions, and/or potential demandregions to mixed-reality globe visualization 800 or other mixed-realitymapped representation by one or more rendering devices 120. According toembodiments, mixed-reality visualization system 110 displays a demandregion by placing an icon in a demand center or locational center of thedemand region. By way of example only and not by way of limitation, whenthe demand region comprises a state, the icon may be placed within thedemand or geographic center of the state to indicate various qualitiesor features of the location. According to an embodiment, each icon mayrepresent one or more supply chain entities 150 where the color or shapeof the icon indicates behavior of the supply chain at that location.According to one embodiment, mixed-reality visualization system 110 mapsone or more nodes to one or more points or areas on mixed-reality globevisualization 800. For example, mixed-reality visualization system 110maps each of the one or more supply chain entities 150 to the locationon mixed-reality globe visualization 800 that corresponds to thereal-world location of the one or more supply chain entities 150. As anexample of a supply chain node representing a warehouse at KIADB,Bengaluru, India will have latitude of 12.971389 and longitude of77.750130. The location of this warehouse is mapped to mixed-realityvisualization 800 using mixed-reality programming constructs inconnection with geo-data, such as, for example, boundaries, shapes,latitude, longitude, and the like.

FIG. 9 illustrates a regional view of mixed-reality globe visualization800 of FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment. In response to a userinput, mixed reality visualization system 110 may update mixed-realityglobe visualization 800 to display a region or subunit of an areaillustrating supply chain network 100 related to a received user input.For example, in response to one or more rendering devices 120 detectinga voice command comprising, “How is my supply chain looking today?” oneor more rendering devices 120 alter mixed-reality globe visualization800 to display visual indicators to indicate various qualities orfeatures of one or more supply chain entities 150 or other nodes insupply chain network 100. According to an embodiment, each visualindicator may represent one or more supply chain entities 150 where thecolor or shape of the visual indicator corresponds to the behavior ofone or more supply chain entities 150 at that location. For example, inresponse to one or more rendering devices 120 detecting a voice commandcomprising, “What are the problems?” one or more rendering devices 120alter mixed-reality globe visualization 800 to add visual indicators anddisplay an external view of mixed-reality globe visualization 800.Visual indicators comprise icons, graphics, or text representing nodesof supply chain network 100, which may comprise, for example, one ormore supply chain entities 150, resources, materials, or assets ofsupply chain network 100, free body 402, and/or demand centers 404 a-404c of one or more demand regions. In this embodiment, one or morerendering devices 120 maps visual indicators to nodes of mixed-realityglobe visualization 800 comprising red icons 902-904 to represent alocation corresponding to a problematic node (such as, for example, oneor more nodes that are outside the range of a KPI threshold), green icon906 to represent a location corresponding to a non-problematic node ofsupply chain network 100 (such as, for example, one or more nodes thatare within the range of a KPI threshold), and yellow icons 908-904 torepresent locations corresponding to nodes of supply chain network 100that are nearly problematic (such as, for example, one or more nodesthat are near to a minimum or maximum KPI threshold). In addition, or inthe alternative, visual indicators may comprise one or more additionalicons, graphics, or text indicating supply chain metrics and parameters,including for example, when a KPI threshold is exceeded, the amount theKPI threshold has been exceeded, the location or identify of one or moresupply chain entities located at a node that is exceeding the threshold,or other like visual indicators, according to particular needs.

FIG. 10 illustrates siting a new warehouse or distribution center basedon one or more demand regions using mixed-reality globe visualization800 of FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment. In response to one ormore rendering devices 120 detecting a voice command comprising,“explore new markets,” one or more rendering devices 120 rotatesmixed-reality globe visualization 800 and displays a map on a surface ofmixed-reality globe visualization 800 comprising a demand region (suchas, for example, a particular state), with a demand that is not beingmet by supply chain network 100. According to one embodiment,mixed-reality visualization system 110 retrieves demographic andeconomic data 260 from cloud datastore 140 and identifies a regionhaving a demographic that indicates a population that is likely to havea demand for one or more products and whose demand is not currentlybeing met by supply chain network 100. In the illustrated embodiment,cursor 1002 (comprising an intersection of cross-hairs 1004-1006) ishovering over the State of Kansas. Continuing with the example of theillustrated embodiment, when cursor 1002 is within a demand region (suchas, for example, the State of Kansas), mixed-reality globe visualization800 alters the appearance of the demand region to indicate the selectionof the demand region currently selected by cursor 1002. In addition,embodiments of mixed-reality visualization system 110 may display supplychain metrics indicating the amount of revenue or demand present, orlikely to be present, in a current or potential demand region inresponse to selection by cursor 1002.

FIG. 11 illustrates siting a new warehouse or distribution center basedon one or more demand regions using mixed-reality globe visualization800 of FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment. By way of example onlyand not by way of limitation, in response to one or more renderingdevices 120 detecting a voice command comprising, “select this market,”one or more rendering devices 120 map demand center indicator 1102 todemand region selected by cursor 1002. According to one embodiment,mixed-reality globe visualization 800 displays demand center indicator1102 comprising a spherical graphic in the demand region highlighted bycursor 1002. Continuing with the example of the illustrated embodiment,demand center indicator 1102 was placed in the State of Kansas which isthe selected potential demand region selected by cursor 1002. Althoughthe illustrated embodiment comprises selecting a demand region usingvoice tracking, embodiments contemplate selecting a current or potentialdemand region using any one or more detected user inputs, such as, forexample, one or more of voice tracking, gaze tracking, hand gesturetracking, and incremental discovery, as described in more detail above,according to particular needs.

FIG. 12 illustrates siting a new warehouse or distribution center basedon one or more demand regions using mixed-reality globe visualization800 of FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment. After placing demandcenter indicator 1102 in the first demand region, mixed-realityvisualization system 110 may place demand center indicators 1202-1204 inadditional potential demand regions. For example, in response to one ormore rendering devices 120 detecting a voice command comprising,“explore the next market,” one or more rendering devices 120 altersmixed-reality globe visualization 800 by placing cursor 1002 on a seconddemand region, such as, for example, the State of South Dakota.According to embodiments, mixed-reality visualization system 110 createslogical entities in a strategic supply chain network modeling system toenable the service of the demand region that has been added to themarket.

After selecting one or more demand regions, mixed-reality visualizationsystem 110 places demand center indicators 1202-1204 in the selecteddemand regions. Continuing with the previously-described example,selected demand regions are indicated by demand center indicators 1102and 1202-1204 comprising gray spherical icons displayed in connectionwith three states: Kansas, South Dakota, and Missouri. Although demandcenter indicators 1202-1204 are represented using spherical icons placedin the geographical or demand center of the potential demand region,embodiments contemplate demand center indicators 1202-1204 comprisingone or more graphics, icons, or other visual element mapped to anylocation on or near the demand region, including, for example, above orbelow the three-dimensional surface of mixed-reality globe visualization800. After potential demand regions are selected, mixed-realityvisualization system 110 may determine a location of a distributioncenter, warehouse, stocking location or the like that minimizes the costto transport one or more products to meet the demand of the selecteddemand regions.

FIG. 13 illustrates siting a new warehouse or distribution center basedon one or more demand regions using mixed-reality globe visualization800 of FIG. 8 , in accordance with an embodiment. Using the spring modeldescribed above, mixed-reality visualization system 110 identifies alocation corresponding to the location of free body 402 that minimizesthe cost to transport one or more items to demand centers 404 a-404 c tomeet the demand of the selected demand regions, wherein the demandrepresents the spring constant of springs 406 a-406 c. By way of exampleonly and not of limitation, in the illustrated exemplary supply chainnetwork 100 the siting of a new distribution center that minimizes thecost to transport items to the demand regions comprising Kansas,Missouri, and South Dakota is located closer to Kansas and Missouriwhich have a higher demand for the product than South Dakota. Although aparticular location of a distribution center is shown and illustratedfor three demand regions, embodiments contemplate locating any number ofone or more distribution centers with any number of demand regions,according to particular needs.

In addition and as stated above, mixed-reality visualization system 110may provide for visualizing effects of one or more what-if scenariosincluding, for example, moving demand centers 404 a-404 c of one or moredemand regions, the location of the one or more warehouse ordistribution center locations, altering one or more supply chain metricsor parameters, and the like. Embodiments contemplate altering the demandof the one or more demand regions by increasing or decreasing the demandto identify the effects of variability in the demand to the location ofa warehouse or distribution center that minimizes transportation costsof one or more items. Continuing with this example, a demand at alocation may be increased and decreased by a particular percentage (suchas, for example 10% or some other suitable margin) to illustrate thesuitability of a particular area for siting the location of adistribution center or warehouse based on changes in demand over afuture time period. Although a particular example is illustrated,embodiments contemplate visualization of any suitable what-if scenarios,according to particular needs.

Reference in the foregoing specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, or “some embodiments” means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearancesof the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specificationare not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

While the exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it willbe understood that various changes and modifications to the foregoingembodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mixed-reality visualization system, comprising:a computer comprising a processor and a memory, the computer configuredto: render a mixed-reality three-dimensional surface comprising an area;identify one or more demand regions; map the one or more demand regionson the rendered three-dimensional surface; model a free body coupledwith demand centers of each of the one or more demand regions using aspring model, wherein a spring constant for one or more springsconnecting the demand centers of each of the one or more demand regionsto the free body corresponds with a demand of each of the one or moredemand regions; calculate a location on the rendered three-dimensionalsurface representing an equilibrium position corresponding to the demandcenters of the one or more demand regions using the spring model; andrender, on a virtual reality rendering device, a visual indicator and anaural indicator within the area corresponding to the location of thecalculated equilibrium position, the aural indicator plotted inthree-dimensional space to locate the calculated equilibrium position onthe rendered three-dimensional surface.
 2. The mixed-realityvisualization system of claim 1, wherein the computer is furtherconfigured to: provide audio feedback based on one or more valuescorresponding to one or more supply chain key performance indicators,wherein the audio feedback is synthesized based on the one or morevalues being favorable or adverse.
 3. The mixed-reality visualizationsystem of claim 1, wherein the computer is further configured to:receive a command from one or more input devices that detect voicecommands or gaze; and in response to the detected voice command orchange in gaze, alter the rendered three-dimensional surface based onthe detected voice command or the change in gaze.
 4. The mixed-realityvisualization system of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator comprisesone or more of an icon, a graphic and text.
 5. The mixed-realityvisualization system of claim 1, wherein the computer is furtherconfigured to: retrieve demographic and economic data; and identify aregion having a demographic whose demand is not currently met.
 6. Themixed-reality visualization system of claim 1, wherein the computer isfurther configured to: zoom in or rotate the rendered three-dimensionalsurface to view all nodes of a supply chain network in a single view. 7.The mixed-reality visualization system of claim 1, wherein the computeris further configured to: provide for a what-if analysis comprising:altering one or more demands of the one or more demand regions; oraltering one or more demand centers of the one or more demand regions.8. A method of mixed-reality visualization, comprising: rendering amixed-reality three-dimensional surface comprising an area; identifyingone or more demand regions; mapping the one or more demand regions onthe rendered three-dimensional surface; modeling a free body coupledwith demand centers of each of the one or more demand regions using aspring model, wherein a spring constant for one or more springsconnecting the demand centers of each of the one or more demand regionsto the free body corresponds with a demand of each of the one or moredemand regions; calculating a location on the rendered three-dimensionalsurface representing an equilibrium position corresponding to the demandcenters of the one or more demand regions using the spring model; andrendering, on a virtual reality display device, a visual indicator andan aural indicator within the area corresponding to the location of thecalculated equilibrium position, the aural indicator plotted inthree-dimensional space to locate the calculated equilibrium position onthe rendered three-dimensional surface.
 9. The method of claim 8,further comprising: providing audio feedback based on one or more valuescorresponding to one or more supply chain key performance indicators,wherein the audio feedback is synthesized based on the one or morevalues being favorable or adverse.
 10. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: receiving a command from one or more input devices thatdetect voice commands or gaze; and in response to the detected voicecommand or change in gaze, altering the rendered three-dimensionalsurface based on the detected voice command or the change in gaze. 11.The method of claim 8, wherein the visual indicator comprises one ormore of an icon, a graphic and text.
 12. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: retrieving demographic and economic data; and identifying aregion having a demographic whose demand is not currently met.
 13. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising: zooming in or rotating therendered three-dimensional surface to view all nodes of a supply chainnetwork in a single view.
 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:providing for a what-if analysis comprising: altering one or moredemands of the one or more demand regions; or altering one or moredemand centers of the one or more demand regions.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium embodied with mixed-reality visualizationsoftware, the software when executed: renders a mixed-realitythree-dimensional surface comprising an area; identifies one or moredemand regions; maps the one or more demand regions on the renderedthree-dimensional surface; models a free body coupled with demandcenters of each of the one or more demand regions using a spring model,wherein a spring constant for one or more springs connecting the demandcenters of each of the one or more demand regions to the free bodycorresponds with a demand of each of the one or more demand regions;calculates a location on the rendered three-dimensional surfacerepresenting an equilibrium position corresponding to the demand centersof the one or more demand regions using the spring model; and renders avisual indicator and an aural indicator within the area corresponding tothe location of the calculated equilibrium position, the aural indicatorplotted in three-dimensional space to locate the calculated equilibriumposition on the rendered three-dimensional surface.
 16. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein thesoftware when executed further: provides audio feedback based on one ormore values corresponding to one or more supply chain key performanceindicators, wherein the audio feedback is synthesized based on the oneor more values being favorable or adverse.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the software when executedfurther: receives a command from one or more input devices that detectvoice commands or gaze; and in response to the detected voice command orchange in gaze, alters the rendered three-dimensional surface based onthe detected voice command or the change in gaze.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the visual indicatorcomprises one or more of an icon, a graphic and text.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein thesoftware when executed further: retrieves demographic and economic data;and identifies a region having a demographic whose demand is notcurrently met.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim15, wherein the software when executed further: zooms in or rotates therendered three-dimensional surface to view all nodes of a supply chainnetwork in a single view.